PIA Press ReleaseThursday, January 05, 2012

Western Command confirms bigger RP-US Balikatan exercise in 2012

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan Jan. 5 (PIA) -- The Western Command (WesCom) has confirmed the holding of a bigger joint military exercises under the RP-US Balikatan in April this year.

The Balikatan is an annual RP-US bilateral military humanitarian assistance and training exercise under the auspices of the Mutual Defense Treaty and the Visiting Forces Agreement.

In a radio interview, Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Elmer Amon said the command is already preparing for the hosting of RP-US Balikatan, which is slated in Puerto Princesa City.

He said Balikatan is bigger than the two bilateral military exercises conducted in 2011, which only involved the enlisted personnel of the Philippines and US Navy.

It will now involve enlisted men from both countries from all branches of military service.

He also said that they are now in the process of detailed planning in consultation with local stakeholders to ensure the success of the scheduled exercise.

The Balikatan aimed to improve RP-US combined planning, combat readiness, and interoperability, enhance security relations and demonstrates US resolve to support the Philippines against external aggression. (LBR/VSM/PIA-Palawan)